The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1887-04-22

tic, that are not of christian origin. as the
early church writers have clearly shown
us.
"There is but one God and one Mediator
between God and Man. need not quote
all of these texts, they are too plain to all
who are familiar with the inspired writings
to need it, but the writer of Hebrews shows
us plainly that all titles and ordinances OF
the Levitical priesthood were done away
in Christ who nailed them to his cross. No
man should confound the priesthood with
the office of a Christian Minister and they
were not confused, until-the days when the
Papal heirachy was engra(ted upon the
church. 1t was this same Bishop of Rome
who established the clergy as separate
class, withdrew them from secular employ
ment, provided that they should have a
special theological training, proYlded for
their maintenance, and forbid them to mar
ry. ae. .---~ t.ss -.,g.-f.- 81.
This last is the only provision that has
been abrogated entirely by the Reformation
of Martin Luther, from the partially Pagan
and partly Mosaic ritual and priesthood oil
the church of Rome. Henry the VIII o.
England only substitute d himself for the
Roman Pontiff when he established the
Church of England and retained most Of
the old forms with new ritual to suit.
Abel Stephens in his history Of the rise Of
Methodism shows with what tenacity John
Wesley held to the forms of the Church of
England, lin which he was an ordained
clergyman, and would if he could, at one
time in his career, have forbidden any to
speak until they hadipassed through a train.
ing and been licensed by human authority.
But Johns nother (who may also be call
ed the mother of Methodism) had deeper
insight into the things of God, and when
she saw that the gift of the ministry was to
be anew poured out upon the world from
the mouths of unlearned and ignorant men,
as in apostolic days, she cautioned him 10
forbid them not. And there are many,
from that day to this, who have been called
upon to cry out against college educated
ministry, as stumbling block in the
church, in that its tendency is to exalt a
head knowledge and human learning, above
that Divine wisdom and guidance that
should be the lone source of all Christian
Ministry. "He whom God hath sent
speaketh the words of God, for God giveth
not the Spirit by measure unto him.
One motive Of the one who propounded
the question Upon what day of the week
do you make your living" may be founded
upon a prevailing idea, that the Gospel is
not thing to be made a trade of, and dis
pensed as law or medicine for stated pc
cuniary consideration. Those societies that
most strenuously oppose paid ministry
are careful to see that the wants of such
as are called upon, as they express it, ito
trayel upon truths account" are provided
for, and this is mostly done by their own
members. However such may receive the
gratuitous aid and entertainment of those
to whose spiritual wants they may have
ministered, as the apostle enjoins, they do
not demand it as a right or ask pecuniary
aid of strangers.
That the disciples stunned all manual
labor for their own support after the Lord
called them, is not a necessary inference
unless we have forgotten one of the last
visits of our Lord to these same fishermen
and the place where he met them.
Paul himself was not an exception to the
general injunction, "Not slothful in bust
ness fervent in spirit, serving the ford,
for he sought not to b. chargeable to any
when his own hands Gould minister to his
physical wants, and he tells us plainly that
he wrought at the occupation of tent max
er, and was net prevented thereby from al
SO continuing instant in prayer" and had
wherewith he could also contribute TO the
necessities of the saints" He did not dis
dain the mental occupation of gathering a
bundle of sticks 10 lay upon the fire, and
from this very act the Divine power that
accompanied him was made manifest. HAY
ing lost all for Christ, he accepted what
was freely offered when "they loaded them
with such things as were necessary"